Multilayer label

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a multilayer label comprising at least one authenticity feature ( 5 ), which authenticity feature ( 5 ) consists of at least two parts ( 51, 52 ) positioned on different layers ( 1, 2 ) of the label. The authenticity feature ( 5 ) can be a barcode which can consist of at least two parts ( 51, 52 ) positioned on different layers ( 1, 2 ) of the label. The barcode can have m lines of which n lines are arranged on one layer ( 1 ) of the label and m-n lines are arranged on another layer ( 2 ) of the label, where m&gt;n&gt;0. The label can have a lower layer ( 2 ) and an upper layer ( 1 ), with the lower layer ( 2 ) having a greater surface area than the at least one layer ( 1 ) positioned on top of it. The upper side and/or lower side of at least one of the layers ( 1, 2 ) can be coated with an adhesive at least in sections and/or at least in points.

This invention relates to a multilayer label.

The problem has long existed in multilayer labels that, duringproduction of such multilayer labels, in principle it must be checked atall times if in fact all layers of this multilayer label are present. Inthis connection, experience shows that it suffices not only to monitorthe presence of the individual layers of the multilayer label but undercertain circumstances it can also be necessary to determine if eachlayer is in the right position on and in the multilayer label.

Since the individual layers of a multilayer label are often applied notwith a small spatial and/or temporal distance between them, suchmonitoring is connected with an unavoidably high logistical andorganizational outlay.

On the other hand, multilayer labels, precisely when they are used, forexample, in pharmaceutical applications, involve technically exact, notuncomplicated products in which each individual layer usually has aspecial task and function. Not only an absence, but also a shifting or atwisting of a layer can lead to a malfunction and thus to unusability ofthe overall multilayer label.

Such a malfunction and consequent unusability not only produces seriousconsequences leading to the multilayer labels, produced for the mostpart with errors or defects in very large numbers, no longer beingmarketable because they are rejects which, for the producer, leads toundesirable labor and material losses and high costs, but also carries acertain danger to the extent that such an error or defect remainsunnoticed by the producer and such incorrectly or defectively producedmultilayer labels could fail in practical use, which can be not onlyunsatisfactory in any case but even risky under certain circumstances.

The disadvantages and inadequacies explained above were not able to beeliminated by the multilayer label known from the prior art.

Consequently, the object of this invention is providing a multilayerlabel in which it can be determined, in a technically simple and yetstill reliable way, if all layers are present in the way they should be.

Further, the object of this invention is to make it possible for thechecking of the proper arrangement of the individual layers in themultilayer label to be performed by machine, i.e., automatically.

Finally, the label is to be produced quickly and economically and, asappropriate, already-available production units will be used to thegreatest extent possible.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by a multilayerlabel that has at least one safety feature consisting of at least twoparts placed on different layers of the label.

Since in the multilayer label according to this invention there is atleast one safety feature consisting of at least two parts placed ondifferent layers of the label, it can be determined in a technicallysurprisingly simple and yet reliable way if all layers of the label arepresent and even regardless of whether or not the label has two layersor more than two layers. For this purpose there is available, forexample, a scanning and checking of the safety feature for completenessand also for proper arrangement or proper composition with a suitableoptical procedure.

One skilled in the art will know, in this connection, to appreciate thefact that, with this multilayer label, also an intermixing orinterchanging of various types of labels can be precluded with greatreliability because in practice each type of label is provided with adifferent safety feature. In this way it can be prevented that a layerof the multilayer label is from a batch other than another layer of themultilayer label.

With respect to the features essential to the invention, features thatare implemented in the form of a safety feature that can be assembledfrom at least two parts placed on different layers of the label, thechecking of the proper arrangement of the individual layers can beperformed in a mechanical, i.e., automatic way, whether already duringthe production process or in an especially preferred way in the contextof the finishing final check.

According to an especially inventive further development of thismultilayer label, the safety feature involves at least one bar code.Such bar codes generally comprise a series of variably thick linesspaced in varying ways relative to one another and make it possible inthis way to store specific data which, in this case, can be relevant tothe label itself and/or to the object to be labeled.

If the multilayer label is now equipped according to this invention witha bar code as a safety feature, then it is possible for the bar code tocomprise at least two parts placed on different layers of the label.

Here it is suitable to provide some of the lines of the bar code, forexample on the bottom layer of the label, and the rest of the lines onthe top layer of the label. This technical measure makes it possible forthe bar code to be detected in its entirety by a laser beam, forexample, only when the different layers of the label are put togethercorrectly, guaranteeing that both layers of the label are present.

Preferably there is also an embodiment in which the lines of the barcode are provided alternately on a bottom layer of the label and on antop layer of the label. This variant too makes it possible to check thearrangement of both layers of the label in an especially precise andreliable way.

If it is desired to take both above-described embodiments forimplementing a bar code as a safety feature in an abstract way, anembodiment is preferred according to this invention in which the barcode has m lines of which n lines are placed on one layer of the labeland m-n lines are placed on another layer of the label. Here therelation applies for whole, positive numbers m, n where m is larger thann.

With respect to the use of at least one bar code as a safety feature, itis also viewed as a feature essential to the invention of thismultilayer label that, in producing labels, after the checks envisionedduring the individual production steps, a last, finishing, final checkof the finished label must be performed. This final check is generallyperformed with a code reader by which it is possible to determine notonly if all labels are present but also if each label includes allprovided layers.

One skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that, in addition tothis, by providing at least one bar code as a safety feature, a checkingof the label with respect to it belonging to the right batch can beintegrated into the final check by the code reader; an especiallyaggravating and damaging mixing of different batches or individuallayers from different batches can consequently be precluded in practicein a convincing way.

In practice, the use of at least one bar code as a safety feature makesit possible to incorporate the final check performed by a code reader ina synergistic way into the process of producing and checking the labels,saving expense and unnecessary costs associated with production.

The above-selected terminology, “multilayer label,” implies that themultilayer-,label according to this invention has two or more than twolayers. In this connection, it is highlighted as a feature essential tothe invention that the at least one safety feature according to claim 1of this invention can be distributed to more than two layers, if themultilayer label has not only a bottom layer and a top layer. In thissense, an assembling of the safety feature from three or more parts isconceivable, parts that are located on various layers of the label.

Regardless of the number of layers intended, it is suitable to consideran embodiment in which the lower layer has a larger surface area thanthe at least one layer placed above it. In this case, a part of thesafety feature can be placed on the “projecting” area of the lower layerand be completed by the at least one other part of the safety featurethat is provided on one or on several layers placed on top of the lowerlayer, so that the safety feature is assembled in its entirety from theindividual parts. Decisive is that the lower layer not be completelycovered by the top layer placed over it but that the part of the lowerlayer on which the safety feature is placed remain exposed.

The same effect is achieved if, according to an advantageous embodimentof this invention, at least one of the layers is transparent. Thisconfiguration is to be used in particular if the parts of the safetyfeature provided on the lower layers are assembled in coordination withthe part of the safety feature provided on the top layer, and it isoften suitable to make the top layer transparent.

Preferably at least one of the layers is provided with adhesive on itstop side and/or on its bottom side, at least in sections and/or at leastat certain points. This adhesive makes it possible, on the one hand, toproduce a bond between the individual layers of the multilayer label,i.e., at least two layers of the label can be connected to one anotherby adhesive; on the other hand, the adhesive can also be used to applythe label to an object. It proves advantageous for this latter purposeif the lower layer is provided with adhesive on its underside, at leastin sections and/or at least at certain points.

To make it possible mechanically to dispense the multilayer labelsaccording to this invention, the adhesive that can be provided on theunderside of the lower layer at least in sections and/or at least atcertain points is suitably coated with an anti-adhesive carriermaterial. Here the label is located in a suitable way in a row withother labels on the carrier material. This carrier material is made sothat a completely automatic dispensing of the label before applicationto the object is possible without great expense. For this purpose, thecarrier material can have, as an underlayer, a sulfate paper to which asilicone layer adheres by a polyethylene (PE) film.

As explained above, the at least one safety feature that can also bedesignated as a safety element represents an effective and reliable aidfor determining the presence of all layers of the multilayer label. Theuse of the safety element in the framework of this invention can be doneadvantageously by imprinting the safety feature. Alternatively there arealso the preferred variants of stamping or punching the safety feature.

The properties of this multilayer label essential to the inventiondepend basically on the question of the material used. But it has provenadvantageous in practice if at least one of the layers consists ofplastic, and the plastic involved is advantageously at least one of thefollowing materials: acrylate, polyester, polyethylene (PE),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride(PVC).

Usually labels are provided with information by the producer and/or bythe user. Consequently at least one imprint or marking is advantageouslyprovided for the multilayer label according to this invention. Thisimprint or marking can be provided on the top side of the topmost layer;if one or more of the layers used is transparent, there is also thepossibility of applying an imprint or marking on or under theintermediate layers.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, a stamping and/orat least a punching is provided for the multilayer label and the lattercan involve a safety punch by which the label is segmented.

Regardless of this, or in combination with this, the multilayer label,preferably its top layer, can have an adhesive free joining flap on itsunderside, to enable one or more layers of the label to be pulled offquickly and without problems.

Other configurations, features and advantages of this invention will bedescribed in more detail below using the embodiments illustrated by wayof example in FIGS. 1 to 4.

There are shown in:

FIG. 1, a top view of a first embodiment of a multilayer label accordingto this invention.

FIG. 2A, a cutaway view from the side of a first embodiment from FIG. 1in a first variant.

FIG. 2B, a cutaway view from the side of the first embodiment from FIG.1 in a second variant.

FIG. 3, a top view of a second embodiment of a multilayer labelaccording to this invention, and

FIG. 4, a cutaway view from the side of the second embodiment from FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a multilayer label in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a top layer of the label shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a second layer of the label shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a third layer of the label shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a fourth layer of the label shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a label wherein the layers have been shiftedwith respect to one another beyond a tolerance threshold.

Identical reference symbols in FIGS. 1 to 4 designate the same orsimilar parts or features.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a multilayer labelaccording to this invention.

The multilayer label represented in FIG. 1 has a bottom layer 2 and atop layer 1 placed over bottom layer 2, and top layer 1 has a smallersurface area than bottom layer 2 and is transparent. Both layers 1, 2 ofthe label have a safety feature 5 in the form of a bar code.

As comes out of FIGS. 2A and 2B, which show in each case a cutaway viewfrom the side of the first embodiment from FIG. 1 in a first variant(see FIG. 2A) and in a second variant (see FIG. 2B), the distribution ofthe safety feature to both layers 1, 2 of the label is of decisiveimportance for this invention.

Thus the lines of the bar code according to the embodiment from FIG. 2Aare distributed to both layers 1, 2 of the label so that the lines areprovided alternately on top layer 1 (upper part 51 of safety feature 5)and on bottom layer 2 (lower part 52 of safety feature 5). Entire safetyfeature 5 comes together, as can be drawn from FIG. 1, only in a topview of the multilayer label, and for this purpose the transparency oftop layer 1 is a requirement. This way an absence of top layer 1 or ofbottom layer 2 is immediately noticeable when the bar code is scanned,for example with a laser beam or in the course of another opticalprocedure.

The alternating arrangement of the lines of the bar code on top layer 1(upper part 51 of safety feature 5) and on bottom layer 2 (lower part 52of safety feature 5) makes it possible immediately to determine if bothlayers 1, 2 of the label are arranged properly relative to one another.In this case, the width and the spacing of the individual lines of thebar code relative to one another would no longer be recognizable in theway intended by the optical scanning procedure.

To be able to apply the multilayer label according to FIG. 2A to anyobject, bottom layer 2 is provided on its underside with an adhesivelayer 3. This involves a conventional contact adhesive.

In the cutaway view from the side of FIG. 2B, the first embodiment fromFIG. 1 can be seen in a second variant according to this invention. Thissecond variant differs from the first variant according to FIG. 2Aessentially by the distribution of safety feature 5 on both layers 1, 2.

While in FIG. 2A the individual lines of the bar code are providedalternately on top layer 1 and on bottom layer 2 of the label, thevariant in FIG. 2B hag left part 51 of the bar code in the drawing ontop layer 1 while right part 52 of the bar code in the drawing is onbottom layer 2. An entire safety feature 5 also results in this case, ascan be seen in the top view in FIG. 1, if top layer 1 and bottom layer 2of the multilayer label are arranged relative to one another in the wayintended.

To avoid superfluous repetitions, the explanations for variants fromFIG. 2A will be used to refer to the other features of the variants fromFIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a multilayer labelaccording to this invention.

This second embodiment also has a top layer 1 and a bottom layer 2, andeach of these two layers 1, 2 has allocated to it, in each case, a part51, 52 of safety feature 5 in the form of a bar code. Since the surfacearea of bottom layer 2 of the label is larger than the surface area oftop layer 1 of the label, the assembling of safety feature 5 in thesecond embodiment is performed so that right part 51 of the bar code inthe drawing and left part 52 of the bar code in the drawing strike oneanother at the point at which the left edge of top layer 1 in thedrawing ends (see also the cutaway view from the side of the secondembodiment in FIG. 4).

In contrast to the first embodiment presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, itis not necessary that top layer 1 be transparent. With this in mind, itdoes not matter if the adhesive, which is placed in sections between toplayer 1 and bottom layer 2, is transparent or colored, since in thissecond embodiment the assembling of safety feature 5 results not fromlooking through the multilayer label but from an overview of it.

As already explained above, the lower side of top layer 1 of the labelhas no adhesive in its right part in FIG. 4. This defines a joining flapbecause it makes it possible to lift or pull top layer 1 off of bottomlayer 2 without problems, as indicated by the bent arrow. This promotesthe flexibility and multifaceted usability of the multilayer labelaccording to the second embodiment in a positive way.

Further, it can be seen from FIG. 4 that, on the underside of bottomlayer 2, there is an adhesive layer 3 by which it is possible to applythe multilayer label according to this invention to an object. Thisadhesive layer 3 is covered with an anti-adhesive carrier material 4 onthe underside of the multilayer label, and the individual labels arearranged in a row on this carrier material 4 and can be applied to therespective object completely automatically when dispensed by a machine.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention. The label has a toplayer 1 that is opaque and has three recesses 61, 62, and 63. Therecesses are made in the example by semicircular punchings on the edgeof top layer 1.

The label shown in FIG. 5 consists overall of four layers, which areshown individually in FIGS. 6 to 7.

FIG. 6 shows top layer 1 with recesses 61, 62 and 63.

FIG. 7 shows layer 21 placed under the topmost layer, and layer 21 istransparent and has marking 51 which can be made, for example, by acolored surface. In the figure, the color is symbolized by across-hatching. The position of marking 51 is selected so that, when thelabel is assembled, marking 51 lies under recess 61 in top layer 1. Butthe surface area of marking 51 is larger than the surface area of recess61, so that recess 61 acts as a mask through which a part of marking 51is visible.

Other layers 22 and 23 shown in FIG. 8 are made like layer 21 in FIG. 7,with the measure that marking 52 of layer 22 lies under recess 62 andmarking 53 of layer 23 lies under recess 63.

In the assembled label shown in FIG. 5, markings 51, 52 and 53 arevisible in recesses 61, 62, and 63, since at least layers 22 and 23(FIGS. 7 and 8) are transparent.

In the final check of the label, the imprinting on the top layer isexamined by an automatic camera. In doing so it simultaneously checks iflower layers 51, 52, and 53 are present, which can be seen in the camerapicture shown in FIG. 5. If one of the lower layers were missing,corresponding marking 51, 52 or 53 would be missing in one of recesses61 to 63, which would be immediately detected by the automatic cameraand could be used to generate an alarm.

In mass production of such multilayer labels, it cannot be completelyavoided that the individual layers are slightly shifted relative to oneanother and relative to their desired position. If the deviation fromthe desired position remains within the preset tolerance, the pictureshown in FIG. 5 results unchanged, so that the automatic camera findsthe label good and triggers no alarm. But if the deviation is so greatthat a marking, for example, marking 51, no longer completely fills outits associated recess, recess 61 in the example, this is recognized bythe automatic camera and then an alarm can be triggered.

FIG. 10 shows a label in which layer 22 is shifted to the right beyondthe tolerance threshold, which can be seen by the fact that recess 62 intop layer 1 is not completely filled up by marking 52.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multilayer label comprising: a first layerdefining a bottom layer; at least one opaque layer defining a top layer,said at least one opaque layer having at least one recess; at least onemarking provided on at least one of said first layer and said opaquelayer, wherein said at least one marking is arranged so as to bepositioned below said at least one recess and visible therethrough whensaid first layer and said at least one opaque layer are properly alignedwith respect to each other.
 2. The multilayer label of claim 1, whereinsaid first layer has a marking located below the at least one recess,the marking having a surface area larger than a surface area of the atleast one recess.
 3. The multilayer label of claim 1, wherein said firstlayer is transparent.
 4. The multilayer label of claim 1, wherein saidat least one opaque layer is provided with an adhesive layer on aportion of its underside such that a joining flap of an adhesive-freeportion of said at least one opaque layer forms a flap for grasping toremove said at least one opaque layer from said first layer.